I want to tell you about an exciting thing that I’m doing with the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington!
You can watch the video, or read the transcript here:
The Visual Arts Center of Clarington has a special place in my heart. As a child, I took art classes there. A decade into my career as an artist, I returned for a solo exhibition, which later led to volunteering on the board of directors.
As I near the end of my board commitment, I’ve been reflecting on the personal and professional growth I’ve experienced. It's hard to believe it's been six years already. I've come a long way from my early days on the board, evolving from a new and intimidated member to serving as secretary, then president, and now as a mentor for others. I’m so grateful for the experiences and lessons I’ve gained. I’ve dedicated and donated a lot of my time to the VAC as a board member, and as my art career has grown, I’ve now reached a stage where I can also give financially. But I really want to do it in a way that motivates others to join in, and help out as well.
That’s why I’m excited to announce the first-ever matching campaign for the Visual Arts Center of Clarington. I will be personally matching donations up to a maximum of $5000! I've come a long way from being a kid with big dreams and no connections in the art world to becoming a professional artist. Every day, I'm grateful for the opportunity to do what I love and I want others to realize that achieving success in the arts is possible.
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington nurtures careers in the arts. As a community member, artist and board member, I've witnessed and played a part in their evolution. I’m so proud of their achievements — from earning awards to securing substantial grants, including several from the Canada Council for the Arts (which I know, as an artist myself, is not easy).
As I conclude my time on the VAC board, I want to make a lasting impact, lead by example and inspire others to give. With my pledge to match donations up to $5,000, I encourage everyone to donate now, as your contribution goes twice as far! With your support, together, we can reach my goal of raising $10,000 for the VAC.
The deadline for this matching campaign is the end of June, just before I embark on my next adventure—a two-month artist residency in the heart of London, England. With your help, we can ensure that the VAC continues to nurture creativity, support artists, and enrich our community for years to come.
Join me in making a difference, and double your impact today!